About 123 Russian troops are currently inside Kostiantynivka, Brig. Gen. Oleksandr Bakulin said, adding the estimate could be off by 20-30 and disputing reports that put the figure at 250-300.
Bakulin said the situation is difficult but not critical, and that it is still premature to say Russian forces control any part of the Donetsk Oblast city.
Russian units are entering in small groups using tactics refined on the Pokrovsk front, but Bakulin said Ukrainian forces have adapted lessons from earlier fighting and are mounting a strong response.
The current infiltration problem began about six weeks ago, while a previous incursion in November 2025 involved roughly 50 Russian troops and was eventually contained.